Power supply system, multiple dwelling, and computer program

Abstract

A power supply system for supplying power to a plurality of loads includes a plurality of fuel cells for generating and supplying power to be supplied to the respectively corresponding loads, wherein the fuel cells are provided to correspond to the plurality of loads, a power network for receiving surplus power, which is generated by the fuel cells except power to be supplied to the loads corresponding to the fuel cells, and supplying the surplus power to the loads short of power, wherein the power network is coupled to the plurality of fuel cells, and a control unit for stopping power generation of a first fuel cell among the fuel cells corresponding to a first load among the loads and controlling a second fuel cell among the fuel cells to generate power to be supplied to the first load as the surplus power if an amount of power to be supplied to the first load is less than a predetermined first threshold.

Description

[0001] The present application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 489,761, filed on Jul. 23, 2003.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates to a power supply system for supplying power to a plurality of loads, a multiple dwelling including the power supply system, and a computer program for allowing the power supply system to be in operation. [0004] 2. Description of the Related Art [0005] Conventionally, there is a power supply system of a distribution type in which its power sources are distributed and disposed corresponding to the loads to which power is supplied. In the above power supply system of the distribution type, each of the power sources supplies power to only the corresponding load. [0006] In the conventional power supply system of the distribution type, however, since each of the power sources supplies power to only the corresponding load, it cannot supply power to the corresponding load if it ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010] The control unit may control a third fuel cell among the fuel cells corresponding to a third load among the loads, which is already in operation, to generate power as the surplus power required for a fourth load among the loads to start to be in operation. In this case, the control unit may control a fourth fuel cell among the fuel cells corresponding to the fourth load to generate power to be supplied to the fourth load and stop the third load from generating the surplus power from the time when a predetermined period elapses after the fourth load starts to be in operation.

[0011] The control unit may stop power generation of a fifth fuel cell among the fuel cells corresponding to a fifth load among the loads and control a sixth load among the loads to generate power to be supplied to the fifth load as the surplus power, if an average value of power consumed by the fifth load during a predetermined past period is less than the first threshold.

[0012] The control unit may decrease an amount of power generated by a seventh fuel cell among the fuel cells, if the amount of power generated by the seventh fuel cell is more than an average value of power, which has been consumed by a seventh load among the loads corresponding to the seventh fuel cell during a predetermined past period, as much as a predetermined value. The control unit may increase an amount of power generated by an eighth fuel cell among the fuel cells, if an average value of power, which has been received by an eighth load among the loads corresponding to the eighth fuel cell from the power network during a predetermined past period, is more than a predetermined value.

[0013] The power supply system may further include a capacitor for storing electric charge equivalent to a portion of the surplus power supplied to the power network except power supplied to the loads and supplying the power stored to the loads if a total amount of power required by the plurality of loads is more than a total amount of power which can be generated by the plurality of fuel cells, wherein the control unit may increase the amount of power generated by the plurality of fuel cells, if the power stored by the capacitor is less than a predetermined value. The power generation efficiency of the plurality of fuel cells may increase according to an amount of power generated by the plurality of fuel cells.

[0014]

Problems solved by technology

In the conventional power supply system of the distribution type, however, since each of the power sources supplies power to only the corresponding load, it cannot supply power to the corresponding load if it stops working due to a breakdown or maintenance.

Moreover, in order to prevent the stoppage of power supply, if each of the loads is always coupled to a power system (hereinafter, referred to as a “system”) such as a commercial power supply, the cost of the facilities becomes high.

Particularly, if loads in the mountains or isolated islands are supplied with power, the cost for the connection to the system increases significantly.

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